Evelina and the Reef Hag Read Online Free Page B

bustled in the wild salty wind. Dozens of stalls lined the sandy park: bakers and farmers, selling buns and strawberries; jewelry makers and painters hawking their works; and exotic artisans of all description.
    Evelina scanned the crowd for the Reef Hag, determined not to be ambushed again.
    She helped the aunties set up their table between a man selling pecan logs and a fortune teller named Ania, with a monster ‘fro’ and a pair of gold earrings as big as hula hoops.
    It was a good place to hock your wares. The place was rockin ’ with the pier right next to the surf shack, blasting music down the beach. Tourists stopped to check out the market and a string of little shops before hitting the beach.
    Ania entertained a steady stream of customers. Her gold bangles jingled every time she swept aside the flap on her red and white striped tent.
    “I’ve always wanted to have my fortune told,” Evelina said, watching the flap fly once again. “I wonder how much it costs.”
    “Ha! That’s not for you.” Mrs. Segal sent forth a chortle of glee, while continuing to arrange her bath balms. “Only a Soul Sifter can do that.”
    “Why?”
    “Because you’re a witch,” Udora said out of the corner of her mouth. She reached into the trunk of their yellow dune buggy to retrieve a large black bag. “Mortals cannot read witches.”
    “Oh.” Well, that was inconvenient, since there were so many unanswered questions about her past—namely the cause of her parents’ death. The closest she’d ever got to finding out anything was the clarifying pool. And, that hadn’t gone well. When she’d asked about the night they died, a pair of hands had reached out and tried to strangle her to death.
    A shiver rattled through her.
    She couldn’t resist asking, “Where do you find a Soul Sifter?”
    “You don’t find one.” Mrs. Segal poked her head between them. “They find you. But only under the gravest circumstances, and that’s not likely to happen.”
    “You’re quite safe with us.” Mrs. Segal reached over to pat Evelina on the shoulder. Not to worry. The Glaring can be most violent—much more so than Flurries, but we’re not about to let anything happen to you, my dear.”
    Evelina sucked in a sharp breath. “So it is the Glaring?”
    “Of course,” Mrs. Segal said, making it sound as though it was ridiculous to believe otherwise. “It begins at midnight. Everyone will be there.”
    “It cannot be discussed.” Udora slashed Mrs. Segal a sharp glance. “Not here!”
    “Oh yes.” Mrs. Segal clapped a hand over her mouth, eyes shifting right to left, as though fearing a member of the Witches’ Council might appear and fling her to oblivion. “Only on sacred ground. Yes, yes, quite right.”
    Midnight? Evelina’s gaze shifted from Udora to Mrs. Segal. By then curiosity would have eaten her up. But, there wasn’t much she could do about it. As usual, the aunties were as tight-lipped as clams.
    Udora unzipped the leather bag, drawing forth a stack of paintings.
    Evelina couldn’t have been more astonished. “You paint?”
    “Of course she paints,” Mrs Segal declared, propping open a small easel on the table for Udora to display her paintings. “She’s always painted. Where do you think you get it? Udora is a bit of a star in the artist community here. Her paintings sell like hotcakes.” Mrs. Segal’s blue eyes sparked. “You must sell some of your own while you’re here.”
    “How can she paint?” Udora scowled. “When you’ve stuffed her schedule as tight as a snowbird’s bikini.”
      “She wanted a job! You agreed! She requested it in her letter.” Udora turned to Evelina. “Didn’t you, my dear?” She turned back to Udora. “She’ll be with her friends. I made certain of that—Abby Jenny Roscoe and Tallula Banks are working there as well. I spoke with their parents. It’s all arranged.”
    “I have a job?” Evelina’s heart picked up speed. “With Abby and Tally?” How